Toronto Strong

Centred in a colour drawing is the stately CN Tower ~

pointing proudly through a billow of white cloud into the pale blue sky.

At the Tower's base are 6 red tulips on one side and 4 on the other side, erectly blooming atop verdant-green lush leaves springing from a base of yellow-centred lavender-toned flowers.

This representive drawing by MacKay of the Hamilton Spectator

needs no further explanation.

(Close your eyes and envision it)

This picture is worth more than a thousand words!

Weep for Toronto, but then Stand With Its Citizens

April 23, 2018 will go down as one of the darkest days ~ perhaps the darkest day ~ in the history of Toronto. Never in living memory, has Canada's biggest metropolis experienced the horrific and indiscriminate violence that hit from out of the blue on Monday, when the driver of a rented van embarked on a 3-kilometre rampage along a sidewalk that left 10 people dead and 15 others injured.

Words seem an inadequate response to something

so momentous, terrible and terrifying.

What can be said with certainty, however, is that this cruel attack on people simply going about their daily lives will fill us all with grief, shock, incomprehension and finally, resolve.

Sorrow comes first, and it is for the innocent lives lost and damaged, for the searing pain felt by so many people and the pain that will linger, not only with the survivors but their families and friends.

We weep for them all.

Next comes the shock that this atrocity happened in Toronto, which by any standard, is a vibrant, global city with a laudably low crime rate. Toronto stands as a model of how a diverse, tolerant citezenry lives, works, plays and thrives in harmony.

(The foregoing is The Hamilton Spectator's view.)

Erma Brombeck says there is a thin line that separates

laughter and pain...comedy and tragedy...humour and hurt.

Norman Cousins' encouragement: The tragedy of life is not death ~

but what we let die inside of us while we live.

Cartoonists Capture Public Mood

Their work depicts sadness of events, outpouring of compassion.

Halifax cartoonist Michael de Adder says he was simply trying to find

a small bit of positivity

with an image that has garnered national attention

for its depiction of recent tragedies in Toronto and Humboldt, Saskatchewan.

The cartoon, published in the aftermath of Monday's van attack in Toronto that killed 10 people and injured 14, shows 2 boys in hockey sweaters sitting on a bench, sticks by their sides .

The boys, one wearing a green and yellow Humboldt Broncos jersey

and the other wearing a blue and white Toronto Maple Leafs sweater,

have their arms around one another, supportive in crisis.

“The reality is, I'm just happy to perhaps, in a small way, add a little bit of positivity in a very negative situation so that's all I'm trying to accomplish with that cartoon,” de Adder said.

(Written by Keith Doucette ~ published in The Canadian Press)

Bruce MacKinnon's Humboldt cartoon ~

depicts the provinces and territories as a group of red-shirted hockey players

coming to the aid of a green-shirted Saskatchewan player.

The slumped player has his arms around his closest neighbours ~

Manitoba and Alberta ~ who are supporting his weight.

“The thing that stands out about the story, aside from the obvious sadness, is the outpouring of compassion of Canadians,” he said of his inspiration for the drawing.

(Bruce MacKinnon (cartoonist for the Halifax Chronicle Herald)

Canadians Care!

Whether Humboldt, Saskatchewan or Toronto, Ontario,

we must all be STRONG for our fellow men who are severely injured or killed.

A tweeted message re the Broncos expresses best ~ Canadian sentiment!

It is hard to find a flag that isn't flying at half-mast in Saskatchewan

as the province mourns the loss of 15 people

after the SJHL Humboldt Broncos' bus collided with a truck.

Sympathy, well-wishes and cash donations are pouring in to the small community

from across the country and the world.

“God bless Darcy Haugan for being an incredible mentor and coach

to young hockey players and prayers for all their families to cope with

their immense loss,” the Western Hockey Association wrote on Twitter.

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...April 27, 2018

Your thoughts appreciated: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com

Success of Indigenous Peoples in Canada

From St. John's, Newfoundland to Haida Gwai, British Columbia and Cape Dorset, Nunavut,

Aboriginals and northern people and communities across Canada have success stories to share.

Community-driven efforts improve the lives

of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals and families.

“The history of Canada's Aboriginal peoples is rich and diverse.

Their history, art, traditions and culture have shaped our past ~

and continue to shape who we are today.”

(Statement by Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau)

Before contact with Europeans, Indigenous peoples educating their youth through traditional means:

participation in cultural and spiritual rituals ~ skill development and oral teachings. Today, through eduction policies, they are re-intigrating traditional teachings, providing more culture and language-based support to enhance and improve the outcomes of Indigenous children in the education system.

It's been a long road! Several colleges and universities in Canada today provide an array of post-secondary education programs open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

Strengthening Aboriginal Success

“We the Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) are committed to work together to achieve success for all learners ~ so that the lifelong process of realizing potential is within the reach of all Canadians.”

Aboriginal refers to the 3 groups of Canada's Indigenous Peoples:

First Nations ~ Metis ~ and Inuit.

In my writing today are reports about recent successes locally of their progress.

Hail to the “Chiefs” for a Day!

A delighful photo in today's Hamilton Spectator depicts “Hamilton Police chief, Eric Grit, speaking with five Grade 6 students who won the oppotunity to be “Police Chief for a Day” through an essay-writing competition. The students were greeted by the 'Chief' before given a tour of Central Station.

They were taken to Ancaster to meet the city's mounted police, before wrapping up their day at the Mountain Station. From left to right, the lucky students included: Angelina Smeets, Zainab Syed, Isabella Ramalli, Justice Umelo and Cedrina Morris.

Hundreds of People Gathered at Liuna Station ~

on Tuesday morning to celebrate the 43^rd annual Hamilton Community Prayer Breakfast ~ an event that fosters a caring, peaceful and inclusive society. This year's keynote speaker was Nate Leipciger, a Holocaust survivor, author and educator. The breakfast also heard from newcomer students with inspiring stories who are making a difference in the community.

Student speaker, Hope Mbouyl is in Grade 12 at St. Thomas More.

Her family fled the Congo and, via China, came to Canada where she now flourishes.

Abdifatah Mahdi-Mohammed stood out as a speaker. The Grade 12 student at Orchard Park Secondary School emigrated from Ethopia in 2008. He has been recognized for his extensive volunteer commitment with CityKidz as well as being an all-round contributor at his school, participating in sports, leadership and volunteer activities.

The keynote speaker, NateLeipciger captivated the audience with his talk about his life as a Holocaust survivor. Born in Chorzow, Poland in 1928, he immigrated to Canada with his father in 1948. After attending high school he obtained a university degree. Leipciger remains a commtted leader in the Holocaust education movement.

Theme for the meeting: “Praying for a Peaceful Society.”

Afghan Technology Activist Blazing Trail for Girls

Tevia Moro (The Hamilton Spectator) reports, “Roya Mahboob got the tech bug when she walked into an internet cafe at age 16. “I knew it wasn't appropriate for girls to go into the internet cafe,” she said, whose hometown is Herat, Afghanistan ~ but listening to her brothers and cousins talk about it, piqued her interest.

“Seated at a computer, the world of technology, communication and information

opened up. I was really fascinated,” recalled Mahboob, now30.

“So she followed her passion, eventually blazing trails as Afghanistan's first female tech CEO, despite the barriers and risks of her patriarchal, impoverished and war-ravaged homeland.

Mahboob is one of 10 luminaries that McMaster University

is celebrating with honorary degrees.

“This will be Mahboob's first honorary degree ~ an engineering distinction!

She's now CEO and president of Digital Citizen Fund, Digital Citizen Brew and EdyEdy.

In 2013, Time Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people

in the world for building internet classrooms in her homeland.”

Trailblazing Indigenous Women

Sally Simpson has been compiling a list of Indigenous Female Firsts.

Natalie Paddon (The Hamilton Spectator) reports: “It was 2011, and after her daughter left home, Simpson gave up a 6-figure salary, a house in downtown Toronto and an 80-hour-a-week job in event marketing to go back to school. While studying at Wilfred Laurier University's Brantford campus, she took a course on Indigenous women and was tasked with a creative way to honour them. Simpson, who now lives and works in Hamilton, decided she would write biographies, creating a collage of Indigenous women born in Canada and were the first to pave the way in various professions.

“Through her research, she discovered Dr. Mary Jane McCallum, a Cree woman who started working as a dental assistant in 1973 before returning to school to become a dental nurse, a dental therapist and earning her doctorate in dental medicine in 1990. She would be flown into northern First Nations and Indigenous communities in Canada as part of a mobile dental unit. In December, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed McCallum an independent senator to represent Manitoba.”

Canadian Indigenous Female Firsts

First to hold a teacher's licence: Dr. Elsie Charles Basque

obtained the licence in Nova Scotia in 1937. The Mi'kmaw woman

was also the first licenced teacher in a non-Indigenous school

First to win an Olympic Medal was Angela Chalmers. The Sioux woman won a bronze medal in 1992 for the 3,000 metres.

First to become a heart surgeon was Dr. Donna May Kimmaliardjuk

in 2017 who is Inuit.

Sally Simpson graduated almost 5 years ago, but her list is still growing ~ now reaching No. 164 and includes the First Canadian Indigenous woman to become an elected Chief of a First Nation. Her list also includes a flight attendant and to be depicted on a Canadian stamp. 1992 was the first time an Indigenous group, which included a woman, was invited to go to the World Culinary Olympics. They took home the grand Gold Medal.

Edith Monture's Many Accomplishements: Darrell Doxtdator from Ohsweken recently wrote about this significant Indigenous woman. “Pte. Mary Greyeyes was the first Indigenous woman to officially serve in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1943..she served in uniform. Not only the first to become a registered nurse, she was also the first Indigenous woman from Canada to serve in the United States military. Edith broke barriers for Indigenous women in the armed forces and regarding federal voting rights. After the U.S. entered the First World War in 1917, Edith volunteered with the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Before leaving for the battle front, Edith returned to Six Nations. She received ceremonial Mohawk clothing as burial wear in case she died overseas.

Edith was stationed at Base Hospital 23 in Vittel, France,

treating soldiers injured in gas attacks and trench warfare.

She often walked across battlegrounds looking for wounded.

Edith became the first female Status Indian and registered band member to gain the right to vote in a Canadian federal election. (Indigenous women, as a whole, could not vote federally until 1960.)”

All people can Benefit from Knowing How Amazing Indigeous Females Are!

They're the fabric of our society and deserve to be acknowledged and held up for celebration.

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...May 15, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com

Nature's Protection and Defences

We patronize the animals for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate

of having taken form so far below ourselves.

And therein, we err ~ and greatly err!

For the animal shall not be measured by man.

In a world older and more complete than ours, they are more finished and completely gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained ~ living by voices we shall never know.

They are not brethren, they are not underlings.

They are other Nations caught up with ourselves in the net of life and time ~ fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth. (Henry Beston)

After the Storm ~ A Very Mature Cherry Tree in Full Bloom

at the Royal Botanical GardensArboretum

Kathy Renwald asks, in The Hamilton Spectator, “Why did my roof shingles fly off in the windstorm on Friday ~ while the magnolia flowers are still on the tree?” Hamilton had the highest wind gusts in Ontario, recorded at 126 kilometres an hour. Shingles were flying...waves crashed all around Hamilton Harbour...and trees were uprooted and lost limbs. But once the storm was over, the magnolia flowers looked unperturbed. Even the delicate cherry blossoms held on through the mayhem.

Look at a magnolia flower and see that it is firmly attached by a node.

My thought is: the node is strong. It doesn't present a big target for wind damage

and therefore, it rides out the storms. Not so, with big trees.

The photo is magnificent: atop the twisted gnarled tree trunk are the glorious blooms, hundreds of them in 'spring pink' adorning the widespread limbs outstretching to the azure blue sky. And to the side are 4 smaller pics of the delicate pink cherry blossoms, having 'toughed it out' during the storm.

Delicate but Defiant against Nature's storm outburst!

Dave Morgan, an arbourist from Ancaster stated, “Most storms leave an isolated path of destruction, but this left damage everywhere. It really caught the evergreens. Over 90% of their calls were for spruce and fir trees, healthy ones that were knocked down. The wet ground contributed to trees being uprooted. A physics study in 2016 concluded that all trees break in winds of 151 km/hr and upward.

The study used experiments and storm data, based on trees in a forest setting.

Kathy reported that 3 days after the storm, she returned to the RBG to see the cherry trees ~ some are ancient and massive, some are in decline, but all were still standing after the storm. And they were gathering a crowd ~ all there to look at the blossoms, 'delicate but defiant' on a calm May day.

Flora and Fauna...

are two very important aspects of the eco-system. No matter where you go on the planet, there are stunning plants, flowers and wildlife on the earth that are fascinating to observe and study. However, in this technical era, humans interacting more with gadgets, it's almost impossible to find time to interact with nature. Originating from Latin, Flora means Goddess of the flower. According to Roman mythology, Fauna refers to the Goddess of Fertility and sometimes referred to as Fauns meaning Forest Spirits. Without flora and fauna, humans cannot exist. The flora generates and releases oxygen

which is needed by the fauna for respiratory purposes. In return, the fauna produces and releases carbon dioxide which is needed by the flora for photosynthesis. It's a symbolic kind of relativity.

Humans also benefit in research to sources of food, medicine and water.

Mankind's duty is to protect and conserve our flora and fauna.

Through a combination of changing climates...lost habitats...increased poaching...increased food scarcity...business development of lands...mankind needs to interact with plants and animals in addition to protecting our fresh waters. Did you know that stranded vessels and disposals of unwanted waste, pollute our Lakes, our Rivers, Bays and Seashores around the world? And biodiversity is fundamental as it ensures natural sustainability of all life on earth.

The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities

of the Universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.

(Rachel Carson)

Four Falcon Babies Born at the Sheraton

Natalie Paddon from The Hamilton Spectator reports:

“The queen of the peregrine falcon nest at the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel has much to celebrate this Mother's Day. Four seemingly healthy chicks, belonging to parents Lily and Ossie, hatched last weekend ~ the most babies born at one time since 2010. While the couple ~ who have had offspring at the Hamilton hotel since 2015, laid eggs near the edge of the nest ledge last year, no babies hatched.

On the evening of May 3, the peregrine watchers spied Momma Lily

bringing food back to the nest and tearing it apart before one fluffy white head peeked out.

By Sunday, all 4 chicks had hatched and were arguing with one another over food.

Over the years, close to 60 chicks have been born at the Sheraton.

Now, the watchers are kicking it into high gear as they prepare the babies' banding and health checks to take place May 24. At that point, the chicks will likely be named as well.

The Hamilton Community Peregrine Project is looking for volunteeers

to help track the movements of the chicks as they make their first flights.

Avian parents frequently spend more time than human families

in not only the preparation (together building nests),

incubating the eggs 24/7 with parents alternating the day & night schedules,

locating food for the tiny, hungry babes and feeding them,

and when of age, teaching them to fly.

Often, these falcons breed during the spring, early summer months,

thus having a 2^nd or 3'rd pregnancy.

Sometimes, they are life-long mates.

And, like many humans, they fly south for the winter!

M. B-K

For 3 summers, prior to our balcony replacements, I observed, wrote notes

and photo-ed mourning doves as they built their nest on one of my wrought-iron chairs,

incubated the eggs and as they hatched, other neighbouring doves sat

on the hydro/telephone wires to enjoy the birth arrivals.

A Thoughtful Look at the Animal World

Referring to an article written in The Spec's May 7^th issue, titled,
 Humans Not the Only Species, Janet, from Hamilton responded:

I respected Kendra's thoughtful article about animals, the creatures with whom we share the planet.

How resourceful they are. And how vulnerable. It saddens me that so many animals ~ wild and domesticated ~ are treated so badly by human beings.

Anthony Douglas Williams states, “We destroy life and we pollute the oceans
and skies, yet we have the audacity to call ourselves superior beings.”

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...May 11, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com

Instincts of Mothers

Animal Mothers Remind Us a Lot of Our Own

For animals, great and small, it is often up to Mom to teach them

how to survive and use their instincts wisely. (Unknown author)

Animal Moms are legendary ~

from the humpback whale's unfailing devotion to her calf

to the tiny poison-dart frog who grows to great lengths

to raise her helpless tadpoles. (Anonymous)

The job of the Mom ~ whether you are a human or another animal ~

is to raise kids who can protect and feed themselves and eventually leave the nest.

The Dream of Becoming a Mother

“May is a wonderful month. It brings spring, new beginnings ~ and is the month we celebrate Mother's Day. Many aspirations from children and their hopes for the future, were created from what they learned at school ~ and from what they have witnessed and watched first-hand from family, friends, movies and social media. From many, the dreams shared have involved becoming parents and raising children. It is a popular saying, that 'you are the average of 5 people you spend the most time with.'

“Aside from our own mothers, who would be for most of us, our prime example, there are our friends and other family members that probably make up our 5 people of influence. For many of us, 'mothering and caregiving' is instinctual, but for others, is a consciously learned skill ~ and this is one of the main reasons why moms and other care-givers need active and engaged community support.

As community participants, we all have important roles to play:

perhaps as a school/club mentor or as the primary caregiver of a child.

But 'dreams don't always come true and plans can suddenly falter.

“What if our childhood aspirations don't come true? What happens if our dream of a relationship and co-parenting together does not exist? What if the partner we are sharing our life with, slowly begins to mistreat us? What if our choice to have a child later in life is taken from us due to a pregnancy resulting from rape? What if our dreams of a stable partnership become the reality of domestic abuse?

Abuse is not only physical, it can be emotional, verbal, financial,

sexual, psychological and social...including threats, intimidation, isolation

and any behaviour that is intended to control, humiliate or harm.

“Although 80% of domestic violence victims tell family or friends of their situation, only 30% report the abuse to the police We need to be part of their 'five people of influence' who can assist her with help.

The ability of honouring Moms, is not only in May but in everyone's ability every day!

We must be More than a Bystander!”

The foregoing are excerpts from a writing by Nancy Smith,

Executive Director of Hamilton 24-hour Crisis Line.

In the animal kingdom, the rule is 'Eat or be Eaten.'

In the human kingdom, define ~ or be defined,' stated byThomas Szasz.

The wolf is an excellent model of 'motherhood.'

A Journey Back in Time ~ Finds his Birth Mother

It began with a heart attack in the Pentagon parking lot in pre-dawn darkness.

Air Force Col. Bruce Hollywood was on his way to work and found himself on the ground, thinking:

“This is where it ends.” Later, as he lay in the ambulance racing to Walter Reed Army Hospital, 2 regrets popped into his head. One was that he wouldn't be able to help his son with his college applications. The other was that he never thanked the Japanese woman who gave birth to him, then gave him up for adoption in 1960. (Bruce Hollywood was adopted by an American couple who were stationed in Japan with the U.S. military and could offer him a good life in America.) It took that heart attack in 2005 for him to set out to find his birth mother,

“I always knew I was adopted because I had Asian features and (my father) was an Irishman and (my mother) was a Norwegian lady,” said Hollywood, 57 ~ and they always told me ~ “We picked you out special. So you're even more special than everyone else.” His parents had told him his birth mother's family name and even offered to pay for a flight to Japan for him. He had always declined.

But, once he recovered from his heart attack, Hollywood began his search. His plan was to send his mother a secret letter, in case she never told anyone she had a son. He wanted her to know how wonderful his life turned out, to show her gratitude by writing, “I lived the best life ever. I'm a Colonel in the U.S. Airforce. I've got beautiful children. Life is really good.” He gave up after contacting the Japanese Embassy...the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo...and.a private detective.

A few months later, he was at Dulles International Airport in Virginia,

on his way to a military conference in Germany.

Early for his flight, he sat down at a wine bar. Across from him was another military man who was going to the same conference: Adm. Harry Harris, whose mother was Japanese. (Today, he is commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific and had been nominated to be ambassador to South Korea.)

Due to his 'Embassy status,' Harris was able to make contacts.

Ten days later, sitting at his desk in the Pentagon, Hollywood's phone rang. The message was, We found your mother, Nobue Ouchi. She's going to call you at this phone number in10 minutes...and she doesn't speak English. Good Luck!” After urgent emails, Hollywood found someone who could interpret on a conference call. Moments later, the phone rang ~ it was his mother ~ and she was crying. For the next few minutes, Hollywood listened to the interpreter who informed him, Tomorrow is your mother's 65^th birthday...and the birthday present that she dreamed of, her whole life, is that you would come back to her. The interpretor said his mother never married, 'because she said in her heart there was only room for one man. And it was you...and she knew you would be back.

And then the interpreter said, “Your mother ran her own business ~ a restaurant

and bar she named 'Bruce.'

Ten days later, Bruce Hollywood was in Shizuoka, Japan ~ a couple hours by train from Tokyo, where she lived. Finding his mother, gave him an identity as a Japanese American. Today he is on the boards of the Japanese American Veterans Association...and the Japanese American Memorial to WWII.

There is no instinct like that of the heart. (Lord Byron)

Life is the best gift a person can give. If you want to show your gratitude, the best thing you can give in return, is love ~ not only to another human being, but other living beings as well.

(April Peerless)

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...May 12, 2018

To comment: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com

Travel Intrigue

Milton Beryle says, “If opportunity doesn't knock ~ build a door!”

Bobby Unser states, “Success is when preparation meets opportunity.”

Henry Ford advises: “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again ~

this time with more intelligence.”

My love of Canada is immense!
 Having viewed a few times from the Atlantic  to the Pacific Ocean,
 the Territories, I yet have to travel although been briefly to Carcross

 named by the Aborigines as 'Cariboo Crossing' in Yukon.

On occasion, I'd crossed the U.S. border with a couple friends enroute to Florida ~ several times to America's eastern states. As a teenager, with my family, we drove firstly to Vancouver and returned stateside to Chicago and home. During the summer, following two years of teaching, with a Sudbury friend, we toured 13 European countries ~ always with the yen and desire to return again.

My son, working several years in U.S. gave me opportunity to 'go visit him.' My greatest memorable journey was in 2001 when driving my son's van from California's Silicon Valley across the western and mid-states to Detroit and crossing into Canada ~ my homeland. Colorado's Rocky Mountains absolutely impressed me (especially the ski areas)...even the Prairie states had unique travel appeal. But, whenever on travel-mode, I was always thrilled to return to my Land of the Maple Leaf.

In California 3 times, on weekends, we drove the scenic Highway 1...

discovered 3 tall cedars, driving through the trunk of one...

touring National Parks and the mighty Sierras.

A highlight on a Labour Day weekend was to meet with my nephew, Jimmy and his wife, Marcela, who lived in Oakland; we toured Yosemite National Park (what a sensation!) and toured the wine valleys, enjoying a luncheon on a refurbished old Victorian-type steam engine train as it trundled through the numerous luscious vineyards. We rode the Squaw Valley chair lift to the top, enjoying the patio lunch with a glass of Napa Valley wine as we dined amid this skyline panorama!

Joshua Tree National Park

Featured in the Hamilton's Spectator this past weekend in the travel section, a couple photos grabbed my curiosity. One stark photo captioned the view: Twisted trees and jumbled boulders compete for attention in Joshua Tree National Park. Located south of the Mojavi Desert and easterly Palm Springs is about an hour away. Following are excerpts from an article by Alex Pulaski for the Washington Post.

A century ago, Palm Springs remained an unincorporated village of a few thousand residents. The automobile's advent helped establish it as a 'way station' between Los Angeles and points east from Phoenix to El Paso and beyond. The Hollywood crowd discovered the city in the 1920's and 1930's, seeking a getaway near enough to 'film lots' to meet studio demands. Golf courses sprouted, as did palm-lined boulevards. The surrounding communities expanded as well, with soothing names such as Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City and Indian Wells. By 1947, as the post-Second World War economy sizzled, The 'Rat Pack' made Palm Springs party central! “It was more about fun than function,” said guide Michael Stern, “Palm Spring's whole goal is to provide pleasure ~ there is nothing here other than tourism.”

The desert never seems far away, even amid the battalions of palm trees

standing sentinel over the urban area. Even after a walk through the oasis of palm trees,

it was hard to imagine how the 'Cahuilla Indians' coaxed an existence from this rugged terrain.

The Joshua Tree is the largest of the 'yucca' species. So rare, it only grows in the Mojavi Desert Extremely slow-growing, the tree only grows about 2-3 inches a year. It can take up to 60 years for a Joshua Tree to mature ~ and can live up to 150 years. Tall, with a slim trunk, its branches wave like 'arms' toward the sky. Joshua Tree was given its name by a group of Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojavi Desert in the mid 19^th century. The tree's unique shape reminded them of a Biblical story in which Joshua reaches his hands up to the sky in prayer.

The Joshua Tree likes dry soils on plains, slopes and mesas,

often growing in groves.

The Mojavi Desert when in bloom is a paradym of luschious colours ~

jewel toned fuschias, emerald greens, topaz pinks, fire-opal oranges,

sapphire blues and royal purples.

Another photo submitted with this publication was of palm trees

in a harsh landscape which abound along the San Andreas Fault near Palm Springs.

Point of Interest ~ Palm Springs, California

On another occasion, visiting a local friend who frequents Palm Springs once yearly,

we spent a week in this unusual and rare green landscape of golf courses,

which to my understanding ~ the water comes from tapped underground springs.

From Los Angeles airport, we drove through the San Bernardino Mountains ~ witnessed a large valley filled with wind turbines...saw signs indicating the location of the San Andreas Fault. Unknown to me, this mountainous area around Palm Springs is a great ski center, both for cross-country skiing and downhill. Being a skier, I was impressed until I noticed the cable-car running steeply up the mountain side to the top. WOW! How dangerous that could be, while enclosed in this 'lift' supported by high steel towers, should the Andreas Fault decide to activate!!! It was summer ~ therefore, No Problem!

The first day there, we rode that cable car to the top to survey the awe-inspiring view, spanning 360 degrees. Fabulous! We enjoyed a delicious lunch, mountaintop...and were saturated with the geographic beauty all around! Although I'd ridden many ski-lifts and cable cars, this was the only one that created a sensation that could possibly be dangerous. What if??? the Fault fulfilled its mission? What if??? the high construction towers lost their stability? What if??? the cable car stops high above the valley below? What if we're stranded? I'm certain that the ski lift operators have rescue plans!!!

It was a glorious week!

We drove northbound (seeing signage for Joshua Tree National Park) and travelled beside the Mojavi Desert, noticing a military base located within the desert...passed the entry to Yosemite Park, but with insufficient time to explore it, we went on to Reno, Nevada entering an olden bar (which was historic ~ (the oldest working bar in U.S.) Then crossing country to Sacramento and the coast, we thrilled to the awe of #1 Highway and the everso-blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The mighty redwoods along the road were just that: MIGHTY!

Back in Los Angeles, we picked up 'lunches to go' and enjoyed them

with a bottle of wine on Venice Beach before leaving on a plane for home.

Wrtten by Merle Baird-Kerr...March 3, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com

People in the News ~ Part 2

From Hamilton Ontario

Rev. John C. Holland Awards: (From politics to athletes and fund-raising, winners exhibit examplary skills and deep community involvement). A colour photo by Scott Gardner shows 9 winners!

Sharon Nwamadi, winner of the Evelyn Myrie Bursary

Jordan Mathurin, winner of the Audre Lorde Scholarship

Chigwe Worenwu, winner of the Marlene Thomas Scholarship

Kayonne Christy, winner of the Lincoln Alexander Scholarship

Joelsa Domingos, winner of the Nelson Mandela Scholarship

Vivica Letang, wiinner of the Rev. George Horton Scholarship

Alec Purnell, winner of the Raymond G. Lewis Scholarship

Angelique DeSouza, winner of the Dr. Ethilda Johnson Bursary

Kudakwashe Chakanyuka, winner of the YWCA Scholarship

The Rev. John C. Holland Awards were established to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our community ~ with a particular focus on the contributions of African Canadians to the social, economic and cultural ife of our entire city.

'Cemetery Guy' Honoured With Award ~ Robin McKee is 'the man' regarding our buried history.

Mathew Van Dongen from the Hamilton Spectator writes: “The ceremony was hosted by a comedian, but Robin McKee vied for the biggest laugh as he accepted a lifetime achievement honour at the Hamilton Heritage Day Awards. The historian and storyteller ~ who proudly refers to himself as 'the cemetery guy' had a rquest of fellow history buffs who might some day follow in his footsteps as a tombstone tour guide. I will be buried in Hamilton Cemetery. It's where I do my thing, my bliss, he said at a packed Hamilton City Hall ceremony ~ his trembling voice just short of tears. (Then he waited a beat.) So, for future cemeteries tour guides, put me on the tour.

McKee earned both laughter and accolades along with his award

named for beloved historian Reverend T. Melville Bailey.

McKee is a historian, author, Sir John A. Macdonald Society chair and restorer of old Hamilton architecture ~ but he is best-known for his love affair with history buried in Hamilton's Burlington Heights cemetery. He's already bought his future plot in 'section Q.'

Local comedian David Brennan recalled trying to follow the indefatigable award winner around on a past tour. “I couldn't even keep up with him...he was running around the cemetery like a 15-year old boy.” (He has a wealth of stories about locals, whose demises could tell many tales.)

Upon invitation, Robin McKee attended a Rotary Club breakfast meeting in Waterdown

and throroughly entertained us with his knowledge, his wisdom and humour.

From Guelph ~ Man Faces More Charges of Sexual, Physical Assault: Police say a traditional Chinese medicine praactitioner and acupuncturist charged last year in a sex-assault investigation now faces ten more charges. In addition to four more counts of sexual assault, Sherman Lai faces charges of assault with a weapon and uttering death threats. Lai, 58, practised at the Center of Integrative Natural Medicine in Guelph for over 20 years, and moved his practice to nearby Morriston about six years ago. He was charged with sexual assault against a former patient in October.

More former patients brought allegations of sexual assault to police in the months that followed and additional charges were brought against Lai in November and again in January. Police ssy the most recent charges involve three additional victims, all of whom had been patients.

From Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Ottawa adds Indigenous Name to P.E.I Park: A national park in Prince Edward Island that bears the name of a controversial British general will be renamed. Parks Canada confirmed Friday that it will add a Mi'kmaq name, “skmaqn” (pronounced Ska-Maa-kin) to the Porte-la-Joye ~ Fort Amherst National Historic Site which is near Charlottetown.

Indigenous critics have long complained that General Jeffery Amherst's name should be removed because he stands accused of trying to wipe out the Mi'kmaq by giving them blankets infected with smallpox. Several places in the U.S. and Canada including Amherst, Nova Scotia and Amherstburg, Ontario bear his name.

From New York, United States

Michelle Obama Memoir Coming in November: One of her most highly anticipated books in recent years is coming out November 13. The former 'first lady' tweeted that the book to come out a week after the 2018 midterm elections, is called “Becoming.” By Sunday night, her memoir was in the top 20 on Amazon.com. “Writing Becoming has been a deeply personal experience,” she said. “It has allowed me, for the very first time, the space to honestly reflect on the unexpected trajactory of my life.

“In this book, I talk about my roots and how a little girl from the south side of Chicago found her voice and developed the strength to use it to empower others. I hope my journey inspires readers to find the courage to become whoever they aspire to be.”

Travelling the World with Alessia Cara

An abbreviated extract from The Hamilton Spectator

(written by Graham Rockingham)

For the past three years, Stoney Creek's Eric Ruscinski has been playing guitar

and keyboards for the Grammy-winning singer.

Eric Ruscinski was driving home to Stoney Creek after making a few extra bucks giving guitar lessons in Oakville. He was tired and frustrated with the direction his career was heading ~ nowhere!

A friend was on the phone pestering him to go to a Canadian Music Week music showcase in Toronto. Hang out...see some friends...make a few connections. Ruscinski reached the Guelph Line before giving in...turning his car around...and heading to the Revival Bar on College Street.

Opportunity Knocked!

He doesn't remember who was playing at the club that night, but he'll never forget meeting an industry 'bigwig' named Chris Smith. (Smith had launched Nelly Furtado's career and was now managing another young 'up and comer' by the name of Alessia Cara.) Alyssia's band was in need of someone who could play guitar and keyboards. The next day, Ruscinski was in rehearsal with Alessia. The following week, he was in New York playing a showcase with her.

He's been by her side ever since ~ playing stadiums across Europe and North America

with 'Cold Play' ...two Juno Award shows...and all the major American TV Talk shows

including 'The Ellen Show...Saturday Night Live...and Jimmy Fallons's Tonight Show.

That chance meeting at the Revival Bar was in early 2015. Alyssia was just 17. Her break-through hit “Here” was just starting to hit radio. The Brampton-born singer is now 21 and at the top of the music world ~ winning recently a Grammy for 'Best New Artist.”

(The one page article with 3 photos appeared Saturday, February 10, 2018),

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...March 7, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com